Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Erislandy Lara | PPV - December 6, 2025 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek Alimkhanuly-Erislandy Lara unification bout in play

Janibek Alimkhanuly can finally cease tormenting his middleweight peers on social media.

Boxing Scene has learned that the unbeaten IBF and WBO 160lbs titlist is on course to next face WBA middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara. Their three-belt unification bout is expected to land on the next announced Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pay-per-view event, which would pair this fight with the rumored Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Lamont Roach Jnr clash in December.

The development comes after previous rumors surfaced that WBC beltholder Carlos Adames was the targeted opponent for Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs). The pair of middleweight title claimants have gone back and forth with insults and demands for more than a year on social media, but never came close to meeting in the ring.

No reason was given – even off the record - as to why Adames didn’t land the assignment. However, the Dominican is pressed with an outstanding mandatory title defense against Kazakhstan’s Meiirim Nursultanov, 20-0 (11 KOs).

Alimkhanuly has not fought since an April 5 knockout victory over undefeated Anauel Ngamissengue on home soil in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 32-year-old southpaw hadn’t fought in his native country since September 2017 prior to the long overdue homecoming.

The win extended his current four-fight knockout streak and also marked his fifth defense of at least one middleweight title.

Alimkhanuly claimed the WBO interim 160lbs belt in a second-round knockout of Danny Dignum in May 2022. He was subsequently upgraded to full titleholder later that year and since added the IBF belt in a sixth-round knockout victory over then-unbeaten Vincenzo Gualtieri in their October 2023 unification bout in Rosenberg, Texas.

Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs), has been the recognized WBA 160lbs titlist since March 2023, after he previously held a secondary version of the title.

However, the 42-year-old Cuban southpaw – who lives and trains in Las Vegas - has made just two defenses of the title. Both came in 2024, ironically his most active campaign of the decade.

Lara wiped out mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa inside two rounds last March 30 on the inaugural PBC on Prime Video PPV event.

The win was followed by a ninth-round stoppage of former two-division titlist Danny Garcia last September 14 on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga undercard in Vegas.

Lara previously held the WBA 154lbs title, a reign which ended in a split decision defeat to then-unbeaten IBF titlist Jarrett Hurd in their sensational April 2018 unification bout. He has fought just seven times since then, compiling a 6-0-1 record over that period.

[MPW]

I'm kinda intrigued by this one.

Lara's been extremely selective about who he's fought as a middleweight, choosing opponents that don't have one-punch KO power or aren't slick movers. When he was younger, the Cuban used his legs and quickness to avoid trouble and set up his offense, regardless of who the opponent was, but as he's gotten older, while he's still somewhat slippery defensively, he has been more willing to trade offensively.

Alimkhanuly has power in either hand - I can still see him nearly decapitating Ngamissengue - has decent movement, and I think is underrated defensively, maybe in part because fighters are reluctant to go after him due to his offensive firepower. He's been able to impose his will on pretty much everyone he's faced, although he hasn't fought the same caliber of boxer the Cuban has.

So, to me, it remains to be seen if Alimkhanuly will be able to take advantage of Lara's age and decline in mobility. Can Lara turn back the clock and blunt the Kazakh's offense, putting him on the defensive? Can Alimkhanuly land a big shot and force Lara to use his legs to avoid further trouble?

[Ruthless-RKO]

JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY, ERISLANDY LARA AGREE DEC. 6 MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE UNIFICATION

Janibek Alimkhanuly and Erislandy Lara have agreed to a middleweight title unification Dec. 6 in San Antonio, sources told The Ring.

Alimkhanuly will put his IBF and WBO titles on the line while Lara risks his WBA belt. The 160-pound bout will take place on the undercard portion of a PBC show headlined by Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach on Prime Video PPV.

Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly is The Ring’s No. 1 middleweight while Lara was rated No. 3 before dropping out of the rankings for inactivity last month.

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round TKO of Anauel Ngamissengue in a homecoming title defense in April. Alimkhanuly, 32, has been a titleholder since 2022 but Lara will represent a sizable jump in competition.

Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) is boxing’s oldest champion at 42. The Cuban stopped Danny Garcia last September in his most-recent fight - his fourth consecutive win inside the distance.

WBC beltholder Carlos Adames, who was in talks to fight Alimkhanuly earlier this year, holds the other title at 160 pounds.

[giacomino]

If it takes place it’s a good step forward for what has been a crappy division for a while, in large part because the belt holders have fought poor opposition in recent years rather than each other

[gilgamesh]

If it takes place it’s a good step forward for what has been a crappy division for a while, in large part because the belt holders have fought poor opposition in recent years rather than each other

It's been very, very easy to forget who even are the Champions in these divisions. If it wasn't a Lara fight I'd consider going to this since it's 1 state over from me, but I don't think I'll make the drive to watch Erislandy Lara who has been tedious even in his most exciting bout

[giacomino]

If it takes place it’s a good step forward for what has been a crappy division for a while, in large part because the belt holders have fought poor opposition in recent years rather than each other

It's been very, very easy to forget who even are the Champions in these divisions. If it wasn't a Lara fight I'd consider going to this since it's 1 state over from me, but I don't think I'll make the drive to watch Erislandy Lara who has been tedious even in his most exciting bout

Ever since they gave Lara a title by letting him fight a club fighter nicknamed “Cornflake” for a vacant paper belt I lost what little Interest I had in him. Nothing I hate more about boxing than shit matchups for vacant belts

[MPW]

If it takes place it’s a good step forward for what has been a crappy division for a while, in large part because the belt holders have fought poor opposition in recent years rather than each other

It's been very, very easy to forget who even are the Champions in these divisions. If it wasn't a Lara fight I'd consider going to this since it's 1 state over from me, but I don't think I'll make the drive to watch Erislandy Lara who has been tedious even in his most exciting bout

Ever since they gave Lara a title by letting him fight a club fighter nicknamed “Cornflake” for a vacant paper belt I lost what little Interest I had in him. Nothing I hate more about boxing than shit matchups for vacant belts

I've never been a fan of Lara and his "style" of boxing, along with his claim that he should be undefeated. I don't really remember the Williams fight beyond the questionable decision, but he ran too much in the Canelo bout to earn the win and got dropped in the 12th against Hurd which cost him in a razor-close fight. Plus, two of his draws (Molina and Castano) should have been losses, IMO. As a MW, he was elevated to the full WBA title in March of 2023 and has defended it twice against limited (Zerafa) or past-their-prime (Garcia) competition.

[giacomino]

It's been very, very easy to forget who even are the Champions in these divisions. If it wasn't a Lara fight I'd consider going to this since it's 1 state over from me, but I don't think I'll make the drive to watch Erislandy Lara who has been tedious even in his most exciting bout

Ever since they gave Lara a title by letting him fight a club fighter nicknamed “Cornflake” for a vacant paper belt I lost what little Interest I had in him. Nothing I hate more about boxing than shit matchups for vacant belts

I've never been a fan of Lara and his "style" of boxing, along with his claim that he should be undefeated. I don't really remember the Williams fight beyond the questionable decision, but he ran too much in the Canelo bout to earn the win and got dropped in the 12th against Hurd which cost him in a razor-close fight. Plus, two of his draws (Molina and Castano) should have been losses, IMO. As a MW, he was elevated to the full WBA title in March of 2023 and has defended it twice against limited (Zerafa) or past-their-prime (Garcia) competition.

Yeah, to me he definitely got a gift vs Castaño, can’t remember Molina as well. His opposition as a middleweight has been horrible for somebody with a belt. Zerafa had no business being anyone’s mandatory and Lara had been fed one setup after another in recent years

[skanksta]

Lara has got a bit more exciting in his old age, maybe could old man Janibek..?
I doubt it, but he's got that fundamental quality that you can never totally write off.

[giacomino]

Lara has got a bit more exciting in his old age, maybe could old man Janibek..?
I doubt it, but he's got that fundamental quality that you can never totally write off.

He has, but maybe that's because his competition has been horrible so slapping them around was easy. It will be interesting if he fights the same way vs Janibek, although it's not like Janibek has been fighting HOFers himself. That is what makes the fight so interesting, IMO. Neither one has been tested at middleweight

[MPW]

Lara has got a bit more exciting in his old age, maybe could old man Janibek..?
I doubt it, but he's got that fundamental quality that you can never totally write off.

He has, but maybe that's because his competition has been horrible so slapping them around was easy. It will be interesting if he fights the same way vs Janibek, although it's not like Janibek has been fighting HOFers himself. That is what makes the fight so interesting, IMO. Neither one has been tested at middleweight

You do have to wonder if Lara is fighting that way because of the quality of his competition or because he can no longer glide around the ring like he did in the past. Me, I think it's a combination of the two. However, you are spot on with your assessment on the level of the fighters they have faced at MW.

[skanksta]

Defo a bit of both.
Age has slowed him AND made him realise he needs to be a bit more exciting to keep getting money fights.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Official: Janibek Alimkhanuly-Erislandy Lara unification is on

The middleweight division has its most important fight in years lined up.

The three-belt unification at 160lbs “is going to happen,” an official connected to the bout between WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and WBA champion Erislandy Lara told BS Monday. The storied middleweight division has been home to countless legendary clashes over the years, but has been dormant following the departures of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin in the past half-decade. Alimkhanuly-Lara is arguably the most important fight at 160lbs since Alvarez-Golovkin II in 2018.

The fight will be staged as the co-main event to the December 6 140lbs interim WBC title fight between Mexico’s Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach Jnr in San Antonio.

Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly 17-0 (12 KOs) hasn’t fought since April, and the bout will be on the Premier Boxing Champions’ Prime Video/PPV.COM card as his promoter Top Rank awaits a new broadcast deal.

Cuba’s 42-year-old Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs), stopped former two-division champion Danny Garcia in September 2024, but hasn’t fought since.

The winner would be positioned for a high-profile bout in 2026. Carlos Adames has the fourth belt at middleweight and could make an undisputed title fight. Or perhaps Terence Crawford, the new undisputed super middleweight champion, is tempted to fight for what would be a sixth division title.

Lara will be the most distinguished opponent on the resume of Alimkhanuly, 32, considering that Lara has fought Canelo Alvarez, Austin Trout, Jarrett Hurd and Brian Castano.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek-Lara World Title Unification, Foster-Fulton Confirmed For Cruz-Roach Dec. 6 Card

The undercard is set for the December 6 matchup featuring Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach, which will headline a PBC on Prime Video PPV event at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Premier Boxing Champions announced Wednesday that the co-main event will feature the middleweight title unification bout between WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) and WBA middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs).

The two other matchups on the PPV undercard include the rescheduled fights between WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) and Stephen Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) Jr. as well as Jesus Ramos Jr. (23-1, 19 KOs) taking on Shane Mosley Jr. (22-4, 12 KOs) for the WBC interim middleweight title. The pair of pittings fell through once Sebastian Fundora pulled out of his planned WBC junior middleweight title defense against Keith Thurman, which was supposed to take place on October 25 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“My goal is to unify four belts and make my name a part of history,” said Alimkhanuly. “I’ve been working tirelessly on this path. I’ve been calling out champions for a long time, and Lara agreed. The big fight is on December 6. God willing, I’ll win my third title. History is almost made."

Lara believes a win against Alimkhanuly can cement his status in boxing history.

“I’ve faced the best throughout my career, and this is no different,” said Lara. “Janibek is a strong, skilled opponent, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge. On December 6, I will become the unified middleweight champion of the world and take one step closer toward securing my place in the Hall of Fame.”

Cruz (28-3-1, 17 KOs), the WBC 140-pound interim titleholder, and Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs), a WBA junior lightweight champion, met for a kickoff press conference earlier this month to announce their junior welterweight matchup.

[gregregegg]

Why is foster vs Fulton not for the world title?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Austin Williams Will Face Alimkhanuly-Lara winner, Says Eddie Hearn

Austin Williams has repeatedly said that he’s destined to become a world champion. He could get the chance to prove it in a few short months.

The IBF's No. 3-ranked middleweight is at the head of the line to face the winner of the Janibek Alimkhanuly-Erislandy Lara title unification fight on December 6 in San Antonio, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

Williams (19-1, 13 KOs) was in position to fight IBF and WBO champ Alimkhanuly immediately but the Kazakhstani was granted permission by the IBF to face WBA titlist Lara for three of the four major sanctioning body belts.

The IBF also told Williams in writing that the winner of that fight will be required to fight him next.

“We requested purse bids for that fight,” Hearn told iFL TV when referring to Williams vs. Alimkhanuly. “They asked for an exemption to fight Lara, which was granted. The IBF has written to Ammo Williams and said, on December 7th, the winner of that fight will be ordered to fight you with no exceptions.”

Williams was supposed to have fought IBF No. 2-ranked Etinosa Oliha for the right to face Alimkhanuly on July 19. However, Oliha pulled out with an eye injury, after which Williams stopped late replacement Ivan Vazquez in nine rounds.

That victory brought Williams to the cusp of his first title shot. Now, if things go as the IBF plans, he just has to sit back and wait to see who his opponent will be,

“That’s a massive opportunity for Ammo,” Hearn said. “So, yes, Ammo Williams will fight for the unified world middleweight title in his next fight.”

[MPW]

Williams better hope Lara turns back the clock and defeats Alimkhanuly, because I don't think Ammo will fare well against the heavy-hitting Kazakh. Actually, I'm not sure he doesn't get out-boxed by Lara.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek Alimkhanuly thankful Erislandy Lara stepped up when Carlos Adames wouldn't

Janibek Alimkhanuly was at least in the right neighborhood, even if presented with a familiar scenario.

Failed talks with current WBC 160lbs titleholder Carlos Adames turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Kazakh southpaw, who still wound up with a unification bout. The unbeaten IBF and WBO middleweight ruler and his team were able to make good use of their time spent with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) officials, which led to his next opportunity.

Relatively smooth talks with the same team on behalf of WBA titlist Erislandy Lara resulted in Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) landing a three-belt unification bout.

“We’ve been in a lot of talks back and forth,” Egis Klimas, Alimkhanuly’s manager, told BS during a virtual press conference. “I believe that Adames decided that he was not going to fight Janibek at any point.

“My own personal opinion, he didn’t want to fight Janibek and risk losing his title.”

Fortunately for their side, the 42-year-old Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs) never expressed any such concern.

“Since we were already working with PBC, we made a nice arrangement and agreement to put this fight together,” noted Klimas.

Lara - a two-division titlist and long-reigning WBA 160lbs titleholder - jumped at the opportunity to prove that he, and not Alimkhanuly, deserves to be called the world’s best current middleweight. They will have the chance to plead their case as an attractive co-feature to the December 6 PBC on Prime Video Pay-Per-View event. Their scheduled 12-round bout will take place at Frost Bank Center, home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

“Of course, I want to thank Erislandy Lara for taking this opportunity when nobody else would,” noted Alimkhanuly. “As everyone knows, I’m always talking about unifying all the titles and becoming undisputed champion at middleweight.

“I need all four belts. One of the belts is held by Lara, so that is why we are fighting on December 6.”

Alimkhanuly has spent more than a year feuding with Adames, 24-1-1 (18 KOs) on social media, only for multiple rounds of talks to die at the negotiating table. He waited out a February 22 clash between Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz – a leading challenger for Alikhanuly’s WBO title – which ended in a disputed 12-round draw.

Sheeraz has since moved up to the 168lbs division, while Adames’ 2025 campaign will be one-and-done.

Alimkhanuly moved on to a homecoming clash with unbeaten French Congolese contender Anauel Ngamissengue. Their April 5 clash was one-sided, and ended with Alimkhanuly delivering an emphatic 5th round stoppage win in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Then came the waiting game with Adames, before his team moved on to an opponent actually willing to face Alimkhanuly.

It says a lot about Lara that he is willing to take the fight while coming off yet another lengthy layoff.

The Cuban export has not fought since a 9th round knockout of former two-division titlist Danny Garcia last September 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The feat came five months after Lara tore through overmatched mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa inside of two rounds last March 30, also in Las Vegas.

It marked a rare two-fight campaign for Lara, his first since the pandemic and after he didn’t fight at all in 2023.

He nearly went all of 2025 without a fight as well, until PBC turned to him following the letdown in piecing together Alimkhanuly-Adames.

“I wasn’t really confident per se; it was just a matter of waiting patiently and seeing what shook out,” Lara told BS of landing the fight. “I trusted my promoter, my team to let me know when this was going to happen, and if it was going to happen.

“No matter what, I was going to be ready for whatever came next to me.”

Alimkhanuly-Lara is part of a four-fight PPV event topped by the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach Jnr WBC interim 140lbs title fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek Alimkhanuly should be favored, but can't take Erislandy Lara lightly

Despite his age, Erislandy Lara, 42, feels like he hasn’t lost a step.

Father Time always wins, but the former two-division champ and current WBA 160-pound titlist has barely broken a sweat over the last few years. Still, he figures to have a difficult time in the ring when he takes on IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly on December 6 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Becoming a unified champ may not be attainable for Lara, but Paulie Malignaggi isn’t counting him out. It all comes down to what version of Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) shows up.

“You favor Janibek, but if he gives you one of those dud performances Lara has the craftiness to offset him,” Malignaggi said on a self-recorded video posted on his YouTube channel, Paulie TV.

During his campaign as a champion at 154 pounds, Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) appeared listless in performances against Brian Castano and Greg Vendetti. However, he’s looked brand new since moving up to middleweight in 2021. Four knockouts later, including against Danny Garcia in 2024, and Lara finds himself on a solid run.

Alimkhanuly made it look easy in his last contest, scoring a fifth-round stoppage over Anauel Ngamissengue.

Still, there have been times where he has appeared uninterested in the ring. That fatal flaw can’t rear its ugly head against Lara.

“I think it’s more important for Janibek to be the guy to really be on,” Malignaggi said. “For the most part, you kinda know what you’re going to get with Lara. He will upset you if you don’t show up at your best.”

[MPW]

Of course Lara has looked "brand new" at MW in large part due to the limited competition he's fought. Don't get me wrong, I like Cornflake and Spike, they're fighters who get the most out of their ability, but both were out of their depth with Lara. Zerafa has some talent and likes to play the villain but he's still a continental-level fighter and it showed, while Garcia, despite his last fight, is still past his expiration date.

But I also know Alimkhanuly hasn't exactly taken on a murderer's row of fighters, largely continental-level boxers, in his title fights, but his last six opponents did have a combined record of 119-4-4. With the exception of the Bentley fight, which was still 116-112 x 2 and 118-110 UD, he has also dominated bouts that went to the cards.

To me, this is what makes this fight intriguing. At 42, can Lara still look brand new against a skilled fighter who moves well and has one-punch KO power in both hands? Can Alimkhanuly handle the most-talented and smoothest operator he's ever faced in the ring?

[JxhDel.]

Lara hasn't aged a bit, hoping Janibek unifies, he has the edge on his side

[giacomino]

Lara hasn't aged a bit, hoping Janibek unifies, he has the edge on his side

not aging. How would we know? Lara hasn’t fought a legitimate opponent in six years. It’s been one cupcake or worn out opponent after another. Janibek will be his first legitimate fight since getting a gift draw vs Castaño in 2019. Beating up nobodies and a semi-retired welterweight doesn’t really tell us much

[MPW]

Lara hasn't aged a bit, hoping Janibek unifies, he has the edge on his side

not aging. How would we know? Lara hasn’t fought a legitimate opponent in six years. It’s been one cupcake or worn out opponent after another. Janibek will be his first legitimate fight since getting a gift draw vs Castaño in 2019. Beating up nobodies and a semi-retired welterweight doesn’t really tell us much

Agreed. Given the level of Lara's competition it's hard to assess if he's aged or not. He's taken on fighters who he is levels above or well past their prime. I think that's one of the intriguing aspects of this fight. Does Lara still have it or has his "recent" success all been smoke and mirrors based on inferior competition.

[giacomino]

Lara hasn't aged a bit, hoping Janibek unifies, he has the edge on his side

not aging. How would we know? Lara hasn’t fought a legitimate opponent in six years. It’s been one cupcake or worn out opponent after another. Janibek will be his first legitimate fight since getting a gift draw vs Castaño in 2019. Beating up nobodies and a semi-retired welterweight doesn’t really tell us much

Agreed. Given the level of Lara's competition it's hard to assess if he's aged or not. He's taken on fighters who he is levels above or well past their prime. I think that's one of the intriguing aspects of this fight. Does Lara still have it or has his "recent" success all been smoke and mirrors based on inferior competition.

I wonder if he will revert to his old, more boring style against a legit opponent. It’s been easy for him to smack around his crappy opposition so far at middleweight, but the question is whether he’ll do it now that he has an opponent who can punch back. Lara has milked his alphabet belt like a pro so far